零五英语编者按：1985年12月17日，第四十届联合国大会通过决议，从1986年起，每年的12月5日为“国际促进经济和社会发展志愿人员日”（International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development 简称：国际志愿人员日）。其目的是敦促各国政府通过庆祝活动唤起更多的人以志愿者的身份从事社会发展和经济建设事业。
Secretary-General’s Message on International Volunteer Day
国际志愿人员日致辞
5 December 2012
2012年12月5日
As we celebrate the impact of volunteers on our world, let us remember the many places they are needed: in war zones and classrooms, in hospitals and homes – wherever struggling people seek a helping hand.
志愿者影响了我们的世界。我们在庆祝的同时不应忘记，在战区、课堂、医院、家庭等许多地方，其实在苦难人民寻求援助的任何地方，我们都需要志愿者。
Let us also remember that volunteering can embrace all people, from the activist who works full-time for a cause to the occasional citizen who reaches out when he or she can. Each sets an example of the spirit of compassion we need. Each makes a valuable contribution to reaching our common goals.
我们应该铭记，每个人都可以参加志愿服务，他们可以是为某项事业全时工作的活动者，也可以是偶尔伸出援手的公民。每个志愿者都体现了我们所需要的同情精神。每个志愿者都为实现我们的共同目标做出了宝贵贡献。
The timeless act of volunteering in the service of others has taken on new dimensions in today’s digital age. Anyone with an Internet connection or a mobile phone can make a difference.
在当今数字化时代，志愿者为他人服务的永恒工作出现了新的形式。只要有因特网，只要有移动电话，任何人都可以做出贡献。
I applaud all people who volunteer each year for the benefit of their communities. I am especially grateful to the 7,700 United Nations Volunteers who support efforts to prevent conflicts, help societies recover from fighting, promote sustainable development, assist in crisis situations and carry out numerous other projects for the greater good. Their work has advanced the Millennium Development Goals, and I am confident they will also contribute to the progress on the post-2015 development agenda.
我赞扬所有每年为社区服务的志愿者。我特别感谢7 700名联合国志愿者，他们促进冲突预防，帮助社会摆脱战争，他们推动可持续发展，在危机局势中提供援助，并开展各种项目实现更大的利益。他们的工作推动了千年发展目标，我同样相信他们的工作有助于加快2015年后发展议程的进展。
Founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, volunteerism transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose.
志愿服务建立在团结和互信的价值之上，超越所有文化、语言和地理的界限。志愿者奉献自己的时间和才干而不期待物质回报，特殊的使命感使志愿者的精神得到升华。
On this Day, let us renew our determination to offer strength and inspiration to others through volunteerism.
值此国际志愿者日，我们再次承诺，一定要通过志愿服务给人们送去鼓励和力量。
